Dark Tourist Season 1 Episode 1 Episode 1

Dark Tourist is a travel documentary on Netflix that takes viewers on a journey to some of the world's most unusual and morbid destinations. Episode 1 of season 1, titled "Medellín, Colombia," follows the show's host, New Zealand journalist David Farrier, as he explores the dark past of the South American city.

The episode opens with Farrier on a plane to Medellín, where he expresses his excitement at visiting a city that was once known as the "murder capital of the world." His first stop is at a barrio, or neighborhood, called Santo Domingo, which was once the epicenter of the drug wars and violence that plagued the city for decades. Farrier meets a local guide who takes him on a tour of the area and shows him the bullet holes that still speckle the buildings and streets. They also visit a community center that was built in the middle of the barrio as a symbol of hope and renewal. Farrier is impressed by the resilience of the people who live there, despite the traumas they have endured.

After leaving Santo Domingo, Farrier visits a museum dedicated to the life and legacy of Pablo Escobar, the infamous drug lord who was one of Medellín's most notorious citizens. Farrier is fascinated by the cult-like following that Escobar still has in certain corners of the city, and he speaks to several people who still see him as a Robin Hood-like figure who provided for the poor while also waging war against the government. Farrier also visits Escobar's former mansion, which is now a tourist attraction, and speaks to the caretaker who gives him a tour of the opulent grounds.

The next destination on Farrier's itinerary is a tour of the Commune 13 neighborhood, which was once one of the most dangerous and violent parts of the city but has since undergone a remarkable transformation. Farrier meets a local artist who shows him some of the colorful murals and installations that have been created in recent years to beautify the area and promote a sense of community pride. Farrier also gets to witness a lively hip-hop performance that serves as a showcase for the area's talented young musicians.

After leaving Commune 13, Farrier gets a chance to indulge in one of the city's strangest and most controversial pastimes: "narco-tourism." This involves taking a tour of some of the sites associated with Escobar and other drug lords, such as the rooftop where Escobar was shot and killed by police in 1993. Farrier speaks to the owner of one such tour company, who defends the practice as a way for visitors to learn about the city's complex history and see how far it has come since the dark days of the drug wars.

The episode concludes with Farrier reflecting on his time in Medellín and the mixed emotions he has experienced. He acknowledges the beauty and resilience of the city and its people but also the painful legacy of violence and trauma that still lingers. He wonders whether it is ethical to turn such experiences into a form of entertainment for tourists, or whether it is a necessary part of the healing process. As the credits roll, we see him boarding a plane to his next destination, ready to explore more of the world's dark tourist attractions.

Overall, Episode 1 of Dark Tourist provides a fascinating and thought-provoking look at a city that has been defined by violence and conflict but is also striving to move past it. Farrier's blend of curiosity, empathy, and wry humor makes him a compelling guide to these unusual destinations, and the cinematography and editing capture both the beauty and the darkness of the locations he visits. Dark Tourist is not for the faint of heart, but for viewers who are interested in exploring the world's more unconventional travel experiences, it is a must-watch.